No plans? These Indy restaurants are open on Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day, Capital Grille will serve its regular menu of dry-aged steaks, as well as a special of slow-roasted turkey ($36) with side dishes of brioche stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes and cranberry-pear chutney.(Photo: Capital Grille)

This year, an estimated 15 million people will eat their Thanksgiving Day meal at a restaurant, according to the National Restaurant Association. And restaurants are responding to the demand.

Gone are the days when diners' only option was the nearest Chinese takeout restaurant. These days, Thanksgiving Day menus are available in a variety of restaurants, from ethnic eateries to high-end steakhouses.

Not in the mood to cook this year? Here are some local options, all open on Thanksgiving Day. (Most restaurants recommend you make reservations or call ahead.)

The Thanksgiving brunch buffet at 1913 Restaurant showcases "foods of yesteryear with farms of today." Start with appetizers like cheese, charcuterie, grilled shrimp and deviled eggs, then sample various soups and salads. The menu includes breakfast options, such as French toast, as well as a carving station with sage-roasted turkey, glazed ham and coffee-rubbed flank steak. Add some side dishes, such as buttermilk biscuits and pancetta-braised Brussels sprouts, along with desserts like cheesecake and pie.

On Thanksgiving Day, Capital Grille will serve its regular menu of dry-aged steaks, as well as a special of slow-roasted turkey ($36) with side dishes of brioche stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes and cranberry-pear chutney. For dessert, there's decadent pumpkin cheesecake ($10).

If you're in the mood for brunch, head to Market Table at the Alexander. For $32, you can grab a mug of mulled apple cider and select from a chilled display of salads, cheeses and charcuterie, as well as a sauté station with pumpkin gnocchi, saffron risotto and seafood paella. There's a turkey carving station, of course, and the buffet contains other meat options, such as ribeye steak and striped sea bass, along with nearly two dozen side dishes. Dessert is another buffet, complete with pumpkin mousse, poached pears, gingersnap panna cotta and 16 flavors of gelato.

Both Ruth's Chris Steak House locations will be open Thanksgiving Day, offering a three-course meal for lunch and dinner ($34.95). The first course is a choice of corn-and-crab chowder or mixed green salad. Then it's time for the oven-roasted turkey breast, along with giblet gravy, cornbread stuffing, cranberry relish, mashed potatoes and green beans. For dessert, it's pumpkin cheesecake or apple pie — and each party will get a complimentary apple pie from Taylor's Bakery to take home for later.

The three-course Fire Grilled Thanksgiving Feast ($28.95) starts with butternut-squash soup or salad. Next up is grill-roasted smoked turkey, served with gravy, grilled-sausage stuffing, cranberry sauce and a choice of sides such as garlic mashed potatoes and grill-roasted Brussels sprouts. Finish it off with a slice of pumpkin or chocolate-espresso-pecan pie. Dining with difficult family members? Throw in a spiced-cider sangria from the bar ($8.50 per glass or $33 per pitcher).

Give your celebration an Italian twist with family-style meals at Buca di Beppo, where a small meal ($53.99) serves three people and a large meal ($98.99) serves six. In addition to traditional Thanksgiving dishes like sliced turkey and smoked ham, the restaurant serves stuffing made with spicy Italian sausage and mashed potatoes seasoned with roasted garlic. For dessert, try the traditional pumpkin pie. Other open Buca di Beppo locations include downtown (35 N. Illinois St.) and Greenwood (659 U.S. 31 North).

Geist's neighborhood gathering place is serving a Thanksgiving Day buffet ($22.95), accompanied by sports of all sorts on the pub's 15 large TVs. The spread includes turkey, bourbon-glazed spiral ham, salads and side dishes, such as broccoli-cheese casserole, stuffing, scalloped potatoes, and macaroni and cheese. For dessert, there's pumpkin pie, red-velvet cake and German chocolate cake.

Another Italian option is Maggiano's Little Italy, which is offering a four-course, family-style meal ($39.95 per person). The feast starts with a bruschetta platter and salad. Families can then choose two pasta dishes, two side dishes and two meat selections, such as roast turkey breast and parmesan-crusted tilapia. For dessert, try pumpkin-praline cheesecake or warm apple crostada.

Make a reservation at this neighborhood favorite for its Thanksgiving Day brunch buffet ($18.99). Along with roast turkey and baked spiral ham, options include salads, cranberry sauce, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans and corn. Not a turkey fan? The list of alternatives includes stuffed chicken breast and grilled salmon. The dessert menu features cakes, cheesecakes and several varieties of pie.

Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year at Hollyhock Hill, but if you cross your fingers, you might get bumped up from the waiting list at the last minute. The restaurant is known for its home-style food, served family style, and Thanksgiving is no exception. The holiday menu ($29.95) offers a choice of turkey or ham, with all the traditional side dishes.

Head to Ted's Montana Grill for a turkey feast ($25). The first course, a choice of soup, salad or bison chili, is followed by roasted turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, herb dressing, squash casserole and cranberry sauce. For dessert: apple-pecan crisp, made with Granny Smith apples and drizzles of caramel. Customers can also choose regular menu items, such as bison meatloaf and cedar-plank salmon.

Amber Indian is closed for dinner on Thanksgiving Day, but its popular lunch buffet offers an alternative to the ubiquitous spreads of turkey and mashed potatoes. Try a wealth of vegetarian dishes, such as chana masala, as well as favorites like chicken tikka masala and lamb curry. Swap those traditional yeast rolls for garlic naan, and sample a selection of Indian desserts, such as carrot halwa, instead of pumpkin pie.

Matt the Miller's Tavern is serving a traditional Thanksgiving buffet ($28.95), complete with oven-roasted turkey and traditional fixings like stuffing and mashed potatoes. The buffet includes pumpkin pie and other desserts, as well as unexpected bonuses like prime rib and shrimp cocktail.

Mitchell's Fish Market may be known for fresh seafood, but on Thanksgiving Day it's all about the turkey. The three-course menu ($27.99) includes soup or salad, roasted turkey and side dishes like stuffing, smashed red-skin potatoes and sautéed vegetables. For dessert, try vanilla-bean crème brulee or the restaurant's signature "sharkfin" pie, or stick with a traditional slice of pumpkin pie.

For a Vegas-style holiday meal, head to the Market Buffet at Indiana Grand Casino. The all-you-can-eat extravaganza ($23.95) includes entrée options such as roasted turkey and glazed ham, along with two dozen sides: stuffing, sweet-potato casserole, mashed potatoes and many other Thanksgiving favorites. The only drawback for a family meal: No children allowed. Diners must be at least 21 and have a valid photo ID.

Mama's House Korean Restaurant

8867 Pendleton Pike, (317) 897-0808

Every day is a feast at Mama's House Korean Restaurant, where many entrees come with a rotating selection of about a dozen side dishes. One highlight is the house-made kimchi. Feeling guilty about not cooking a Thanksgiving meal at home? Request a table with a built-in barbecue, where the whole family can cook together.

This Mooresville landmark is famous for home-style food, so it's no surprise that Thanksgiving is one of its busiest days of the year. But don't worry about making reservations. The restaurant seats nearly 500 people and bakes thousands of Thanksgiving pies. Try the turkey and dressing, baked ham, or chicken and noodles — or perhaps the restaurant's signature fried chicken.

Kimu Restaurant

1280 S. U.S. 31, Greenwood; (317) 893-2221

Indianapolis has the world's largest Burmese population outside of Burma — also known as Myanmar — and Kimu celebrates that heritage. It will be open for breakfast and lunch on Thanksgiving Day, featuring its usual menu. Options include traditional Burmese dishes, such as pork with pickled mango, alongside Vietnamese and Chinese favorites. Don't miss the Burmese hot sweet tea, a milky concoction that may remind you of chai.

For a Thanksgiving feast with an Irish twist, try Claddagh Irish Pub. The restaurant will serve a buffet ($24.95) of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and several desserts — as well as some Irish favorites. The chain's other Central Indiana locations, Downtown (234 S. Meridian St.) and on the north side (3835 E. 96th St.), will also be open.

For a turkey dinner with a waterfront view, make a reservation at Rick's Café Boatyard. In addition to its regular menu, the restaurant will serve a Thanksgiving special ($23) complete with roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

In-the-know Indy foodies head to Szechwan Garden for some of the city's best Chinese food. If you're feeling adventurous, try dishes like sizzling duck tongue and stir-fried conch. Or, stick with tamer options, such as black-pepper beef, sesame chicken, steamed fish and sweet-and-sour pork. There's a large selection of noodle and rice dishes, as well as inventive casseroles and vegetarian options.